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The high-flying American offence meets the stifling Canadian defence in a game likely to add some fireworks to an otherwise tepid Sochi tournament.

USA forward Phil Kessel, seen celebrating a goal against Russian goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky during the preliminary round, has been red-hot as part of a surging American offence in Sochi. (Bruce Bennett / The Associated Press)

Not that we all haven’t been impressed with the dogged efforts of the Slovenians, Norwegians and, of course, the Latvians — and the Americans have looked great, the Swedes have yet to be beaten and Canada has suffocated all opponents.

But how about some truly entertaining hockey from the city that Mr. Putin built?

Canada-U.S., on Friday, has a chance to deliver just that, and you could make a case that with four games remaining in the Sochi Olympics men’s hockey competition, this is the one that offers the greatest chance to produce something memorable.

Let’s just say they’ll be talking about the night Oshie shot six times in the shootout for a while.

But outside of that rock ‘n’ roll contest, there just hasn’t been much in the way of taut competition or thrilling, imaginative hockey. You’ve got most of the best players in the world gathered in Russia, some of the real artisans of the game, yet for the most part it’s been low-scoring, defend-first stuff on the big international ice.

The Americans, as mentioned, have been the exception to that, with 20 goals — five of them from Maple Leaf star Phil Kessel. Dan Bylsma’s team has been the one nation that has consistently shown an ability to break down defences, score off the rush and play some semblance of creative, offensive hockey.

Now, they’re set to collide with a Canadian team that hopes defence wins championships. Sidney Crosby hasn’t scored and he hasn’t wowed the crowds, but he has been part of a Team Canada defensive effort that has permitted only three enemy goals in four games.

The Latvia game was almost a shocking upset. But it was a one-sided game by almost every measurement, as were Canadian victories over Norway, Austria and Finland, although only the 6-0 romp over the Austrians really showed that on the scoreboard.

So you’ve got America’s scary offence set to confront Canada’s stifling defence. But more important, we’re likely to see a North American style of game on the big ice, with lots of hitting and less trapping than we’ve seen in most of the games so far.

These two countries have played some terrific contests in the previous four Olympics since NHLers have become involved — most notably, of course, the fabulous gold medal game four years ago in Vancouver that went to overtime before Crosby found a hole in Ryan Miller’s armour.

It wouldn’t be entirely unreasonable to expect the same on Friday.

Now, based on the United States’ leisurely victory over the Czechs compared to the taffy pull that was Canada-Latvia, there are already those suggesting the Americans have demonstrated their superiority to Canada and will romp in the semis.

Doubtful. Possible, as is an easy Canadian win, but doubtful.

The Americans looked great in ’02 and ’10 but couldn’t beat Canada when it mattered. Canada looked lousy both years, barely able to hang on and beat the Germans in ’02 and vanquished by the U.S. in the preliminaries in ’10, but in each case ultimately captured the gold.

All this is to say that what has happened so far isn’t necessarily an accurate indication of what will happen next.

What the U.S. does have going for it, along with some offence, is a workmanlike, go-through-a-wall mentality in players like David Backes, Ryan Callahan and others. It was this same sense of industriousness that was very plain back in ’96 when the U.S. defeated Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier and others to win the inaugural World Cup.

Canada, meanwhile, just can’t seem to score. Steven Stamkos might have helped there, and the loss of John Tavares (put the Islanders down as a firm “Say No To Pyeongchang” vote) takes away another player with an ability to create goals in small windows.

That said, the Canadian defensive corps has been just superb, and at both ends of the ice. Other than intermittent calls for the inclusion of P.K. Subban in the Canadian lineup, the three main pairs have been unquestioned and, unlike the forward lines, undisturbed.

Which brings us to the goalies.

Normally, and based on recent NHL records, you’d give Jonathan Quick the nod over Carey Price. That Price became Canada’s goalie in Sochi without actually wresting the job away from Roberto Luongo — it appears the decision to go with Price was made weeks, if not months ago — has thrust the Montreal goalie into the most significant situation of his professional career.

We know Quick is good enough to win a Stanley Cup.

We don’t know yet what Price’s top end may be.

If it’s not a pick ’em game, the Amerks might have earned the tiniest of edges.

Here’s hoping it will be a thriller, a game where both nations are actually going all out to win, rather than just playing not to lose.

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